I heard the word "riff"
not too long ago referring to writers using a similar theme or idea and
twisting it up, changing it to something different to create a new story,
something refreshing.

I suppose you could say we're all riffing on some original
storyline.Everything has been done
before, no story is truly new.What we
do have in our writer toolbox, though, is our own psyche, our own take on the
world. Made up of our own experiences, our own likes and dislikes, these
experiences make up who we are as writers and thus influence our stories. No
one else can create something as unique as we are. Our stories are unique to
us.And in turn we will find readers who
are interested in our own riff on a story.

On that note, (pun intended) I give you my daughter's recipe
for Gingerbread Waffles.A riff off of
Mark Bittman's Rich Buttermilk Waffle recipe in How to Cook Everything. I have
to thank Mark for giving me a cookbook with suggestions on how to change up
almost every recipe to suit one's unique taste.These definitely suit my daughter, who has some mad love for anything
gingerbread.

Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl, mix wet ingredients
separately, then combine.Pour 1/4 cup
into each side of waffle iron and cook for 4 minutes.

These waffles freeze well individually wrapped and toast up
even better than when first made.(Because of the molasses, these waffles are a dark brown and will also burn
more easily when reheated.) ENJOY!